Downy woodpecker /(-y̆)/

Down·y wood·peck·er

Downy woodpecker

n.
  1. A small black and white ladder-backed woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) of Central and Eastern U. S. and Canada. It strongly resembles the hairy woodpecker, but is smaller (6 1/2"), compared with about 9-1/2" for the hairy. It is common in suburban backyards. (Zool.)